Irish Films Score Big at British independent Film Awards

The Irish-produced films Pillion and My Father’s Shadow triumphed at the British Independent Film Awards on Sunday. Donegal filmmaker Myrid Carten also received three awards for her acclaimed debut feature, A Want In Her.

Pillion, produced and developed by Dublin-based Element pictures, won four prizes: Best British Independent Film, Best Debut Screenwriter for Harry Lighton, best Costume for Grace Snell, and Best Hair and make Up for Diandra Ferreira.

The film follows Colin, a reserved young gay man played by Harry Potter’s Harry Melling, as he becomes entangled in an unconventional relationship with the enigmatic biker Ray, played by Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård.

melling and Skarsgård were also shortlisted for Best Lead Performance and Best Supporting Role, respectively, among numerous other nominations.

“I think it’s really unbelievable that a movie like Pillion can get made in 2025,” Skarsgård said before the award ceremony.

“I love it when I come across unique scripts. Frequently enough, the bigger the budget, the more people involved, the more executives involved, the more anxiety there is, and the less risk-taking happens as everyone wants a return on their money.”

element Pictures’ My Father’s Shadow, the most nominated film of the year at the BIFAs with 12 nominations, took home the award for Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr.

This family drama was co-written with his brother, Wale Davies, and is set during the 1993 Nigerian election.